Connexion Intelligence. CHRIST CHURCH, PURBROOK, PORTSMOUTH. ON Wednesday the 12th inst., the first treat was given to the children of the Day and Sunday Schools, in connexion with the above church. At two o'clock the children met in the park of John Deverell, Esq. A spacious marquee had been erected, and decorated with flags and evergreens. The day being most favourable, many members of the congregation at Christ Church, being friends and supporters of the schools, were present. Amongst others, we observed the daughter-in-law and grand-daughter of the late General Sir Charles Napier; the daughter of Admiral Sir Lucius Curtis, Baronet; Admiral Grey, his lady and children; Mrs. Hawker; Mrs. Richards, of Farlington; Capt. Edward Herrick, R.N.; Capt. Brown, R.N., and family; &c., &c. The prizes, which consisted mainly of useful articles of clothing, were distributed by Miss Deverell, assisted by her father and the Rev. T. Roberts. Several pieces of sacred music were beautifully sung by the children, and after they were suitably addressed by the gentlemen present, all joined in singing the National Anthem, which terminated the delightful proceedings of the day. On Sunday, the 16th ultimo, the Rev. John Trotter preached at the above church, in behalf of the African Mission, and notwithstanding the unfavourable state of the weather, the collection amounted to £10 9s. 7d. The pastor of the church, the Rev. T. Roberts, hopes to obtain additional contributions in the course of the year. THE Anniversary of the Ebley Day and Sunday Schools has just passed. Three sermons were preached on the occasion. In the morning and afternoon by the minister of the place, and in the evening by Handel Cossham, Esq. Notwithstanding the threatening state of the weather, the congregations were most encouraging. The collections amounted to £70 Os. 1d. This sum provides for the ordinary expenses of the year. The anniversary has been followed by a Pazaar, the proceeds of which go to meet extraordinary expenses in connection with the chapel and school-rooms. It is cheering to be able to say that £50 was raised by this means thus making a total of £120, raised within a few weeks by a village congregation, upon the purely voluntary system. The friends identified with the cause at Ebley have more reason than ever to confide in "The Workings of Willinghood," to thank God, and take courage. TO THE EDITOR. Correspondence. SIR,-Will you have the goodness to answer the following questions through the medium of THE HARBINGER? Is it right for a Christian to purchase slave-grown produce; even in retail quantities, and in the usual mode? Are there any shops in London at which free-labour produce can be procured? If so, where are they located? S. E. A. The free-labour depôt for cotton goods is at No. 22, Broad-street Buildings, London. Patterns forwarded, per post, on applicacion. The depôt for grocery goods is kept by Mr. Wm. Lees, Bishopsgate-street Within, London. If the purchase of goods be considered as a question of right or wrong, we should be disposed to apply the same principle to this case which Paul applies to that of meats and drinks ; viz. that each man's conscientious convictions must be his guide, and thus what may be to one man a sin, may not be so to another. (1 Cor. viii. 7, with x. 23, 27, 29; and Rom. xiv. 22, 23.) If any person conscientiously believes that he shall be aiding the cause of freedom by using only free-labour produce, and can procure such goods, no doubt he is under a sacred obligation to carry out that conviction; but he must not assume a right to judge another, who either has no opportunity of acting upon such a principle, or has such opinions about commercial integrity as prevent him from adopting the same course.-ED. Contributions to be forwarded to Mr. FREDERICK W. WILLCOCKS, Treasurer, 8, Claremont Square, London. N. Orders to be made payable at the General Post-Office. "GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD." This was the morning prayer that rose from a lonely cottage on the outskirts of a wood a few miles from the city of Challon, in the interior of France. Winter had set in, and snow lay thick on the ground, when with a feeling of gratitude Clara and her grandmother prepared their scanty meal. They had nothing left but a hard crust of bread, and no money to buy more with. Their credit with the baker was at an end, for they were unable to pay what they owed him. Clara thought the crust was larger than it really was, and that they both should have something to eat. She softened it, however, in water, and gave it to her grandmother, who had not yet left her bed. Grandmother," said Clara, "I must go to the city to-day." U "To the city! Is the child mad, to want to go out such weather as this?" "But, grandmother, what shall we do? nor bread." We have neither potatoes "And for bread and potatoes would you walk six miles over the solitary heath, in the snow? No, no, Clara, stay at home and ❞— "Then we shall die of hunger.' "" "Why die of hunger, have we not a good God in heaven?" "Certainly, grandmother." "And does He not feed the young ravens that cry?" "He does." "And do we not daily pray to Him to feed us? Why, then, will you go to the city?" "6 Because you have often told me that God helps those who trust him, and use the means he has put in their power. If we both remain at home we shall have no bread. I must go out and seek it." "How will you seek it, I should like to know? " "I'll ask some one to give me some." "What beg! is it possible?" "Yes, I'll tell those I meet that I have a grandmother at home who is weak, and we have nothing to eat. If they are Christians I know they will be kind, for the Bible says, 'He that giveth to the poor, lendeth to the Lord."" "Poor Clara! do you think they will listen to you ?" "Why not, grandmother; I shall tell them the truth. and hungry, and have nothing to eat." "Does it snow still, my child?" You are old "Not so much as it did. I shall not feel the cold, for I shall run all the way." "Go, then; and may God preserve you. Give me the key from my pocket, and that little box in the cupboard." "How kind to let me go." "Not to beg, Clara; you shall never do that. I have something in this box that may get us bread to eat for a little while. And who knows!"-but she added in a low tone, "It is better to say nothing about it. Poor René, we shall never see him again, unless we meet him in heaven." She took from the box a gold ring on which she set great store. "Take this," she said, "to Mont-de-Piété, and you'll get ten shillings for it." Mind you don't lose it, and bring back the money safely." With these words the good woman folded up the ring and put it into the hands of the child. Clara put on her hat and cloak, scarcely protect her from the cold. but the cloak was so worn it could She set out however, cheerful as a lark, and her face beamed with hope and joy. She tripped lightly along and soon reached the gates of the city. Clara stepped fearlessly into the goldsmith's shop. She was not ashamed of her poverty, for she felt it was no disgrace to be poor, and no sin to sell the ring for bread. The man to whom she applied assumed an important air, questioned the genuiness of the ring, and would only give her half the sum she wanted. She hesitated. She considered. "We must have bread," said she. "Well, give me the money." The man paid it her. The sum was small, it could not last long, but at all events it would supply their present need. She set off home with a light heart, and bounded along, pleasing herself with the expectation that she could now procure something to satisfy their craving hunger. She had not gone far before she felt in her pocket to convince herself her treasure was safe. But, alas! it was not there. What could she do! She would go back and seek it. Deadly pale, and with a throbbing heart, she sought it everywhere, but without success. She returned to Mont-de-Piété, but nowhere was it to be found. Distressed with her misfortune, and ready to faint, she sat down on a door step and sobbed aloud. The passers by looked at her and asked her why she wept. She told them of her loss, that she had eaten nothing that day, and her grandmother was starving at home. Some doubted the truth of her story, and shook their heads as they turned away. A few gave her a look of pity, but none had compassion enough to attempt to relieve her distress. The snow was falling fast; the street was almost empty; the night was coming on; and her grandmother, she knew, would be anxiously looking for her return. She must go home. She set out as fast as her limbs would bear her, casting an eager glance in at the windows of many a house she passed, on the happy family groups she saw around their comfortable firesides, while she was perishing with hunger and cold. She had not gone far before she met a sailor, the first she had seen in the town. The paleness of her countenance, and the tears that were streaming down her cheeks, attracted his notice. "What's the matter, my little girl?" said he, kindly. His sympathizing manner won her confidence, and she told him the story of her misfortune. With the generosity of a sailor, he drew out his leathern purse and gave her the money she had lost. "Take that," said he, "my little girl, for my own child's sake.; I have one somewhere, if I knew where she is. I hope to find her with my mother, if she is yet alive. Good evening, and better luck next time.' She quickened He hastened off before Clara had time to thank him. her pace and was soon outside the city. She was cold and wet, she felt her strength was almost gone, her feet sunk in the snow at every step, and at times the storm so thickened, that she could hardly find her way. |